Index regulator set



Dec. 29, 1953 H. KOCHER 2,663,990

INDEX REGULATOR SET Original Filed Nov. 4. 1949 .M/VENTORI mws KOCHCQ KATTOR EV.

Patented Dec. 29, 1953 INDEX REGULATOR SET Hans Kocher, Cortebert, Bern,Switzerland, as-

signor to Cortebert Watch 00., Cortebert, Switzerland, a corporation ofSwitzerland Original application November 4, 1949, Serial No.

125,608, new Patent No. 12, 1953. Divided and th 2, 1953, Serial No.

2 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved index assembly for timepieceregulators.

This application is a division of my co-pending application Ser. No.125,608, filed November 4, 1949, now Patent 2,637,970.

In most watches or clocks the regulator system comprises a balance theoscillations of which are obtained by a flat spiral spring, the outerend of which is fixed to a stud attached to a cock.

The outer turn of the spiral spring is guided 1 between two pins fixedto a regulator by means of which the positions of these pins around theaxis of the balance can be adjusted, in order to modify the speed atwhich the watch or clock operates. The length of the spiral spring lyingbetween the stud and the pins of the regulator should theoretically bewithout any influence on the oscillations of the balance. In practice,this is, however, not quite true. The pins seldom lock the spiral springperfectly. There must be a clearance affording adjustment. Theinconveniences resulting from this clearance between the pins are wellknown to those skilled in the art.

According to my invention, the pins are replaced by a clamp normallytightening the last turn of the spiral spring and being released whenthe regulator is operated for adjusting the working length of the spiralspring.

Other objects and features will be apparent as the following descriptionproceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawing illustratingby way of example an embodiment of my invention.

A timepiece regulator set comprises an assembly of parts for adjustingthe position of the fixed point of the outer turn of the spiral spring,for determining the working length of this spring. The set comprises aregulator member and parts cooperating with it for holding the member inplace and affording its adjustment around the axis of the balance, forlocking the outer turn of the spira1 spring at different places.

Referring now to the single figure of the drawing which is a plan viewof the device according to the invention, a jaw IBa forming the outerjaw of a clamp for the spiral spring, not shown, is fixed to a member24" which has two resilient prongs straddling a circular support 2".Each prong has a paw at its end in sliding engagement with the support2". The regulator lever means is made of two parts 36 and 31, each parthaving an annular portion rotatably mounted on the support 2", and atail, 38 and 39, respectively, extending from the annular portion in thedirection of a secant of the annular portion. The two tails are arrangedsymmetrically to a diameter of the support 2" and overlie and cross eachother. The regulator part 31 has a lug portion 40 to which a pin l5".forming 2,637,970, dated May is application January the inner jaw, isfixed. The regulator part 36 has an extension or lug 4| ending in a flatface 42 bearing against a protrusion 26 extending from member 24" at thejunction of its prongs substantially parallel to the axis of the support2". Lug 48 has a curved surface abutting against the protrusion 26. Asmay be seen from the drawing, member 2-2" tends to press jaw lBa whichis fixed to the member at the junction of its prongs against the jaw[5". When pressing on the tails 38 and 39 in the direction of the arrowsX, the lugs G53 and 42 push member 24" outward, separating jaw [6a frompin 15''. Thereupon the regulator may be rotated in one or the otherdirection in order to adjust the position of the tightening point on theouter portion of the spiral spring.

I claim:

1. A regulator for adjusting the hair spring of the balance oftimepieces, comprising a circular support, a regulator lever meanshaving two parts, each of said parts having an annular portion rotatablymounted on said support, each of said parts having a tail portionextending from said annular portion in the direction of a secant of theannular portion, said tail portions being arranged symmetrically to adiameter of said support and overlying and crossing each other, each ofsaid parts having a lug portion protruding from the annular portion ofthe part substantially oppositely to the tail portion of the part, afirst jaw fixed to one of said lug portions, a memher having tworesilient prongs straddling said support, the junction of said prongsbeing substantially diametrically opposed to said tail portions, asecond jaw fixed to said member at said junction, said prongsindividually having a paw at their ends, said paws slidably engagingsaid support at points beyond the center of said support with respect tothe location of said junction relatively to the support and pulling saidjunction toward the center of said support and said second jaw againstsaid first jaw, and a protrusion extending from said member at thejunction of said prongs and substantially parallel to the axis of saidsupport, said lug portions individually having a surface abuttingagainst said protrusion and pushing said member away from said supportagainst the action of said prongs upon manipulation of said lever means.

2. A regulator as defined in claim 1, one of said surfaces being flatand the other of said surfaces being curved to guide said protrusion andsaid member away from said support upon manipulation of said levermeans.

HANS KOCHER.

No references cited.

